Ó Cuiv’s vision could become the foundation of rural renewal
Encouraged because of his understanding of the problems facing rural Ireland and privileged to hear him make a profound statement on his vision for the countryside.
Minister Ó Cuiv said: “My vision of rural Ireland is one with a populated countryside in dispersed fashion, where people have a sense of place that’s worth preserving.”
Having a vision is the first step towards bringing about reality. In Minister Ó Cuiv’s case, bringing this vision to reality means restoring the social order that existed in rural Ireland down the ages.
Such a vision appears to be totally at odds with the plans of our bureaucrats, in Brussels and Dublin, who seem intent on herding people who wish to enjoy rural life into the outskirts of our towns and villages, just because this seems to be the norm in other parts of the continent.
Minister Ó Cuiv also emphasised the fact that the countryside was never the sole preserve of farmers, stating that ‘an gréasaí, an táilliúir agus a leithéid’ traditionally lived and worked there, and he could see no reason why non-farmers couldn’t do likewise.
Indeed, as the numbers of farmers inevitably decline it is important that their numbers be replaced in rural Ireland.
He also acknowledged that the number of houses has to increase to maintain the population, saying that if the number was to remain the same it would result in a population drop of 20% because fewer would be sharing dwellings than heretofore.
On planning, the Minister said that the Croke Park principle needed to be adopted in sensitive areas to ensure that scenic areas remained available to all, while allowing developments in traditional design below road level and especially well back from the main roadways.
Many of the Minister’s sentiments are completely at odds with the way planning policies are being interpreted in Kerry and elsewhere. In Kerry, the county council’s rural settlement and holiday homes policies are being used by the planning authority to stifle development in areas like Sneem, Castlecove and Caherdaniel, which has recorded a 12% population drop from an already very low base since the last census.
Finally, and of utmost importance, Minister Ó Cuiv said it was the responsibility of Kerry County Council’s elected representatives to formulate a county development plan that was sensitive to the needs of all areas of the county.
To achieve this, councillors will have to ensure that the new plan will be flexible enough to ensure that all regions, and especially those in serious decline, will have the opportunity to develop and to prosper again.
Minister Ó Cuiv has displayed common sense and vision in abundance. It is now time for the local councillors and planning authorities to respond in like fashion.
Tim O’Sullivan,
Chairman,
Sneem/Castlecove/Caherdaniel IRD Ltd,
Sneem,
Co Kerry.
